TIPS... As we teach children to know and love God, we are often humbled. The things we learn as teachers. We walk into our bible classes prepared, or so we think. Then there is that one child that could ruin everything if we let him/her. Either this child came to class super hyper and disruptive, pouting and whiney or perhaps picking on other kids. We have seen it all. This is when we say a quick prayer under our breath! “Dear Lord, Please give me patience so I don’t ring this kids neck out…” Just kidding! It probably sounds more like, “Dear Lord, Please give me patience and wisdom so that all of the kids here today learn about you.” When we think we’ve got it figured out God reminds us that we still need help. It’s humbling. Thankfully, He is there to help us through it. Never dismiss the power of prayer with a humble heart.

For this “trouble” child at the moment, you may need to change gears quickly in class. I often have Play-Doh,Silly Putty or other hands on items that can be passed out sooner than later on any given day. Make sure everyone gets this so no one is singled out. Then, have them “create” something that pertains to the lesson of the day. It gets everyone focused.

TRUTH… Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up. -James 4:10

God has breathed life into all Scripture. It is useful for teaching us what is true. It is useful for correcting our mistakes. It is useful for making our lives whole again. It is useful for training us to do what is right. By using Scripture, the servant of God can be completely prepared to do every good thing. –2 Timothy 3:16-17NIRV

Something Useful…

Training a child to do what is right isn’t an easy task. Choose one thing to focus on this week. That may be being polite, truthful, generous or any of a million other things we hope our kids learn. Now, take that one thing and work it into every day. For instance, if you choose to work on manners, make sure your child says “thank you” when you give him/her anything. Make sure your child says “please” before giving him/her what they’ve asked for.

Not only do you make sure your child says these things, but praise them each time they do. If you spend a whole week focusing on this, I think you will love what you see next week without your prompting!

Every Thursday I’d like to share something funny, something spiritual and something serious. I hope you find these helpful for your week!

Something Funny

If you work with kids, whether young or old, you can always use a good laugh. On Thursday’s we will provide just that! Share the laughs with your church family!

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.

Galatians 6:9

Don’t clip a childs wings. Allow them to be creative, to think and come up with new ideas. You will be amazed at what kids think up on their own and how well they retain what they’ve learned this way!

For example, I teach a summer Bible Science program to Kindergarten through fifth graders each year. A few months before this last summer began one of my second graders asked if we could dissect frogs this time. He asked this in class, in front of everyone. Me, thinking I was smart enough to fix this, said, “Well, we can’t just do any experiment. It has to go with a Bible lesson.” The class full of second and thrid graders came up with a solution in less than a minute! They decided, “We can learn about the 10 plagues- you know, the one with the frogs!”

What was I do to? They had come up with an experiment they wanted to do AND even had a Bible lesson to go with it. Their creative minds were at work. Of course, I worked with the high schoolers to help with a dissection experiment that summer. I want to encourage this any chance I get (even if I don’t like the idea of dissecting). Kids thinking about God and inviting their friends to participate.

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DOWNLOAD LETTER FROM SANTA PLUS CHRISTMAS ACTIVITY MATS

Download & Print Letter From Santa PLUS Christmas Activity Mats

Kids learn best when they are having fun so let's make learning about God fun this Christmas. Here's a letter from Santa that your child's name fits into plus one nativity mat and one secular holiday mat for added fun!